Best Parks in St. Louis for Nature

Here’s how to make a single weekend both rugged and civilized: 1. Reserve a camping spot at Klondike Park ideally, a primitive site tucked away from others for a Friday night, and build a bonfire before bedtime. 2. Start Saturday morning by hiking around the park’s scenic lake, observing the white high-silica sand that was used to create glass at the one-time quarry. 3. Bike to the Katy Trail, running just south of the park, and follow it west to Augusta. 4. Sample the wines at Mount Pleasant Winery and Augusta Winery, then head back to your campsite before sunset. 5. After a restful slumber and packing up, stop at Chandler Hill Vineyards’ Farmers Market, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, and take home something to remember the weekend.

The Nature Institute

The view from atop the bluffs is stunning: the Mighty Mississippi stretching into the distance, the Great River Road wrapping alongside it, those distant smokestacks towering over the trees… Well, maybe that last part’s not so great, but otherwise, the view from Olin Nature Preserve and the adjacent Mississippi Sanctuary is unparalleled. While exploring the sanctuary, follow the western-most trail, past Creek Trek Waterfall, to a scenic overlook. At the preserve, take the 1.4-mile Loop Trail, with a brief detour at the former skeet-shooting range. And on the way out, stop at Talahi Lodge, where you can relax and enjoy a picnic. (On the first two Sundays in May, from 8 to 10 a.m., visitors can also meet at the lodge to take a bird hike with a local ecologist.)

Edward “Ted” and Pat Jones–Confluence Point State Park

When exploring nature, where better to start than the spot where Meriwether Lewis and William Clark embarked on their storied expedition? (OK, so technically, the rivers then met two miles from where they intersect today.) At what’s now Confluence Point State Park, you can follow an interpretive trail through the floodplain. There, at the shore of the confluence, witness the rivers’ raw power, as the current effortlessly sweeps entire trees downstream. Gaze along the banks and overhead to spot the wildlife that dots the landscape. Then, on your way home, pass through the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary and stop at the Audubon Center at Riverlands, where you can watch a 12-minute video about the sanctuary, learn about bird migration patterns, and peer through spotting scopes. Students and faculty at Washington University’s Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts recently completed construction on the Riverlands Avian Observatory, a new bird blind near the center’s Heron Pond. The modern design was named a finalist in the Architizer A+ Awards, garnering international attention.

Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center

This 112-acre gem isn’t as sprawling as the state parks west of it, but Powder Valley has a lot going on, particularly for families. The location is convenient, near Interstates 44 and 270 in Kirkwood. The park’s three paved trails are easy to navigate, with Tanglevine Trail accessible to hikers with disabilities. And the on-site learning center is among the area’s best, with a 3,000-gallon aquarium, a 250-seat auditorium, a two-story tree exhibit, a wildlife-viewing area, and more. The only downside? Fido has to stay at home.

Lone Elk Park

There’s a poignant story behind the name. After World War II, the one-time military ammo depot transformed into a park stocked with 10 elk from Yellowstone National Park. That herd grew to more than 100 by the late ’50s, when the military again seized control of the grounds—and the elk were exterminated one winter for safety reasons. But one bull escaped, wandering the hills alone for years. Finally, in 1966, the same year the land was renamed Lone Elk Park, locals purchased six more elk from Yellowstone. Six bison joined them in 1973, and the herds have grown since. For those who dare to venture out of their cars, White Bison Trail makes a 3-mile loop through the park, allowing visitors to get relatively close and personal with the elk. On the way out, stop at the World Bird Sanctuary, and pay homage to another iconic North American animal, the bald eagle. But keep in mind that dogs, those other beloved beasts, are prohibited at the park.

Cliff Cave Park

Missouri is the Cave State, so no list of naturecentric parks would be complete without visiting a cave. Cliff Cave is among the best-known, and it’s St. Louis County’s second-longest cave. In 2009, a gate was added to protect the endangered Indiana bats that live inside. Nonetheless, you can follow the rugged 3-mile Spring Valley Trail to the face of the cave, hike or bike along the 5.1-mile paved Mississippi Trail, or stroll along the 1-mile River Bluff Trail for a view of the Mississippi River and surrounding valley.

Islands of Adventure

Howell Island Conservation Area

This low-lying island in the Missouri River, located near Wildwood, is accessible by following Olive Street/Eatherton Road.

Louis H. Bangert Memorial Wildlife Area

Just south of the Blanchette Bridge, this 160-acre island in the Missouri River is accessible via the Katy Trail.

Maple Island Conservation Area

This spot, located near Alton, Ill., is popular among fishermen.

Pelican Island Natural Area:

Adventurers can reach the island at the heart of the 2,260-acre area by boat, launched from the mainland adjacent to Sioux Passage Park in North County.

Walkers Island

A causeway on the southeast side of Horseshoe Lake, located near Granite City, Ill., extends to this island, another prime fishing spot.